Q:Do you have any information regarding the completion date of the Cane Creek bridge on U.S. 78 in Cook Springs? It was begun on or about May 1, 2013, with an estimated completion time of six months.

A:Six months has turned into about 11 months, according to Alabama Department of Transportation road condition information.

The bridge closure keeps U.S. 78 out of the running for being an alternative route through that stretch of St. Clair County.

The project hit snags as things were getting off to a start.

First, there were some conflicts with relocating some of the utilities that run through the area where the bridge is being rebuilt, ALDOT First Division Engineer Johnny Harris said.

The conflicts were details that they thought had been worked our prior to construction hadn't been. That issue has been resolved. Then came the wet fall which has turned into alternating wet and cold winter.

Now, the project is a matter of getting the weather to cooperate moving forward for the rest of construction, Harris said.

None of the slowdowns have impacted the overall box culvert-style bridge replacement's construction cost of just under $1 million.

For now, drivers have to continue using the detour, switching to Interstate 20 between Kelly Creek Road (Exit 147) and Cook Springs Road (Exit 152).

ALDOT's road information data gives an approximate reopening date of about April 1.